The 2025 Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake is back April 27, inspiring our community to walk, run, and RAISE for leading edge care, close to home.
Newmarket, ON – There was a time, not long ago, when East Gwillimbury and Orillia residents Jillian Swindle and Ellie Hill thought running or walking might be activities they would have to give up as the excruciating hip pain they experienced every day affected their quality of life.
For years, both women explored a variety of surgical options, and each were told they would have to wait until they were eligible for total hip replacements. That was until they found Southlake Health orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Patrick Gamble.
Dr. Gamble was offering a revolutionary hip resurfacing procedure for younger, highly-active patients. This procedure has given women like Jillian and Ellie the ability to move with less pain and increased mobility. Both Jillian and Ellie underwent the procedure in 2023, and it was in an online patient forum that their friendship blossomed; bonding over the drastic and positive impact they experienced post-procedure.
Now, nearly two years following their surgery, Jillian and Ellie are participating in the 2025 Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake to thank their hospital — and their incredible surgeon — that gave them their lives back.
“It’s my responsibility to fundraise because I received life-changing care here. At some point in time, we will all need Southlake, so we need to support it for when that time comes,” says Ellie, a personal trainer, fitness instructor, and mother of three. “I needed care perhaps sooner than some and it’s my honour to fundraise to pay that forward to others in our community who need the same great care.”
Jillian, an x-ray technologist at Southlake, is participating for the second year in a row. Some of the equipment she uses to deliver patient care was in-use when she started 20 years ago and is need of replacement.
“Supporting the Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake is not only in gratitude for my care, but also enables me to do my part in equipping my colleagues with upgraded tools and technology so we can continue providing leading edge care to our patients.”
Jillian and Ellie aren’t alone in their drive to support Southlake Health. The 2025 Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake currently has the largest number of registered teams in the 23-year history of the event.
“Every April, the Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake inspires grateful patients and families, community members, our Southlake family, and partners from across York Region, Simcoe County and beyond, to come together for Southlake,” says Jennifer Ritter, President and CEO of Southlake Health Foundation. “This year, we hope to raise a record $500,000 and we are so grateful to participants like Jillian and Ellie for honouring the great care they received through their support of this event. Together, we can all be a part of ensuring leading edge care for every member of our communities who needs it.”
Funds raised through the event support Southlake in bringing state-of-the-art technology and equipment that is vital to patient care, across every program of the hospital.
The 2025 Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake takes place on Sunday, April 27. Registration closes on Thursday, April 17 at 11:59 PM so don’t miss your chance to walk, run, and raise! For those unable to participate, individuals and teams can be supported with a donation made online. Visit www.runforsouthlake.ca
